Actuary · Salary Comparison · 2026
Actuary Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Actuarys in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$123,000 vs $136,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$94,615 vs $83,951
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$79,775 vs $73,692
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $123,000 | $136,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,710 | $104,720▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $157,440 | $174,080▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $196,800 | $217,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $94,615▲ | $83,951 | +$10,664 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,707 | $119,381▲ | -$15,674 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,775▲ | $73,692 | +$6,083 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 33,600 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $123,000 vs $136,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($94,615 vs $83,951 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.